South Yorkshire Times, December 30th 1939
Christmas Leave Death
Inquest on Mexborough Soldier
The death of a young Mexborough soldier home on Christmas leave, was the subject of an inquest on Private George Frederick Richardson, 21, son of Mr. and Mrs. Brooke Richardson of 59, Clayfield Road, Mexborough, at the Montagu Hospital on Wednesday.
Evidence showed that Pte. Richardson had complained of pains in the jaw on arriving home, and subsequently had two teeth extracted. His condition became worse and he died at the hospital on December 22nd. Summing up, the Coroner, Mr. W. H. Carlile, said he wished it to be understood there was no suggestion that the man was not properly treated by the dentist and he had given the latter the opportunity of coming to the inquest to show this
Blanche Richardson of 59, Clayfield Road, Mexborough., gave evidence of the identification and said her son was a Private in the Army and came home on leave on December 14th. He complained of pains in his face on arrival and she noticed his face was slightly swollen. He was unable to sleep and on the following Thursday she went with him to consult Dr. Lindsay, who advised him to have teeth extracted. One the following day he went to Mr. W. A. T. M. Myles, dentist of Swinton and had two teeth extracted. He also went to the dentist the following day. He became worse, however, and was removed to the Montagu Hospital where he died on December 22nd
Mr. Myles, dentist, practicing at Swinton, said he had been practising since 1925. The man came to see him on December 16th and complained of pain in the right lower jaw which was quite swollen. He examined the man’s mouth and extracted two teeth which were broken down stumps, and administered a local anaesthetic for this purpose. The mouth was quite healthy but for these two teeth.
The Coroner: Did it seem to you that the trouble was normal and was caused by the two teeth?
Mr. Myles: Yes. He seemed quite pleased to be relieved of his pain.
ADVISED TO SEE DOCTOR
Mr. Myles added that when Richardson returned the next day his assistant syringed the sockets for him and advised him to see a doctor.
Coroner: Can you throw any light on this at all?
Mr. Myles: No.
Witness said it was the first time he had had anything of this sort arise.
Dr. W. C. McGuire house surgeon at the Montagu Hospital, said Richardson was admitted on December 18th and was then running a high temperature and was toxic. He seemed to be suffering from a very severe type of infection and the insides of the mouth showed signs of inflammation. He was treated but gradually became worse and died on December 22nd. Death was due to toxic myocarditis due to superficial inflammation of the face as a result of osteomyelitis of the jaw.
Coroner: Can you state how long infection had been present?
Witness: It is quite possible that the infection cased him to go to his dentist.
The Coroner: There was no accident involved?
The Doctor: No.
Summing up the Coroner said he thought it was right to enquire info the circumstances of the cause of death. Apparently, the dead man was properly treated by the dentist at the time. There was nothing to show that any infection was caused as a result of the extraction and as the doctor had said the cause of the infection was there before the extraction. He wished it to be understood there was no suggestion the man was not properly treated by Mr. Myles and he had given him the chance of coming there to show this. There was no one to blame in the matter.
A verdict in accordance with the medical evidence was received.
CWGC
SIGNALMAN GEORGE FREDERICK RICHARDSON
Service Number 2363238
Royal Corps of Signals
15th (S) Div. Sigs.
Died December 22nd 1939 aged 21 years
Buried at Mexborough Cemetery, Sec. B. Cons. Grave 114.